JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – High school football season is back and so are our weekly predictions for local games. Each Thursday during the season, News4JAX sports editor Justin Barney will offer his picks on the games.
Last week: 30-8. Season: 30-8 (.789).
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Week 2 predictions
Thursday, Aug. 28
Cedar Creek Christian (0-2) at Father Lopez (0-1): Saints have another challenge this week. N4J pick: Father Lopez 28, Cedar Creek 8.
Englewood (0-1) at Beachside (0-1): Barracudas suffered a tough Week 1 loss on the road but I think they bounce back here. N4J pick: Beachside 35, Englewood 7.
Friday, Aug. 29
Atlantic Coast (1-0) at (5) Mandarin (1-0), 6:30 p.m.: Principal’s Cup is going to stay with the Mustangs: N4J pick: (5) Mandarin 38, Atlantic Coast 13.
Baker County (0-1) at Chiefland (1-0), 7:30 p.m.: Tough game for the Wildcats. Chiefland is coming off a huge win over Williston. N4J pick: Chiefland 27, Baker County 10
Baldwin (1-0) at Palatka (0-1): Tough trip for the Indians. N4J pick: Palatka 28, Baldwin 21.
Bartram Trail (0-1) at Ponte Vedra (0-1): Tossup in this one. Bears in a close one. N4J pick: Bartram Trail 27, Ponte Vedra 23.
Belleview (0-1) at Fort White (0-1), 7:30 p.m.: Rattlers have lost 22 consecutive games dating back to 2023 season. N4J pick: Fort White 34, Belleview 7.
Bradford (1-0) at Dunnellon (0-1), 7:30 p.m.: Tornadoes didn’t allow a point last week. N4J pick: (6) Bradford 28, Dunnellon 13.
Carrollwood Day (1-0) at Providence (0-1): Home team gets a close win here. N4J pick: Providence 24, Carrollwood Day 22.
Christ’s Church (1-0) at Paxon (1-1), 6:30 p.m.: CCA won this game last season but I think this one is different. N4J pick: Paxon 21, Christ’s Church 20.
Clay (0-1) at Yulee (1-0): Big win for the Hornets last week and they add to it here. N4J pick: Yulee 28, Clay 14.
Coffee, Ga. (1-1) at (9) Columbia (1-0), 7:30 p.m.: Trojans won a state championship as recently as 2023. This is a tough game for the Tigers. N4J pick: Coffee 28, (9) Columbia 20.
Creekside (0-1) at (7) Nease (1-0): This one is always entertaining, but I think the Panthers showed last week that their demise was a bit exaggerated. N4J pick: (7) Nease 34, Creekside 20.
Fernandina Beach (2-0) at Wolfson (0-1), 6:30 p.m.: Pirates are going to push for a spot in the Sunshine State Athletic Association title game. N4J pick: Fernandina Beach 31, Wolfson 13.
Fletcher (1-0) at Parker (0-1), 6:30 p.m.: Talk about a big defense for the Senators last week. Elijah Keys is on pace for a 30-interception season if he plays like he did against Ribault. N4J pick: Fletcher 28, Parker 13.
Harvest Community (0-0) at Hilliard (0-1): This is a tossup, and I think it’s close. N4J pick: Hilliard 20, Harvest 14.
Impact Christian (1-0) at Halifax Academy (0-1): Home team hasn’t scored in two games. N4J pick: Impact Christian 34, Halifax Academy 0.
Interlachen (1-0) at Brooksville Central (1-0), 7:30 p.m.: Rams go on the road and come back with a big win. N4J pick: Interlachen 35, Brooksville Central 13.
Jackson (1-0) at Ribault (0-1), 6:30 p.m.: Tigers put up a number last week. Trojans can play defense. N4J pick: Jackson 28, Ribault 14.
Joshua Christian (0-1) at Episcopal (1-0): The home team Eagles win big. N4J pick: Episcopal 36, Joshua Christian 6.
Keystone Heights (0-1) at Union County (0-1), 7:30 p.m.: Tigers bounce back after last week. N4J pick: Union County 28, Keystone Heights 7.
KIPP Bold City (0-1) at First Coast (0-1), 6:30 p.m.: Greyhounds are a young and building program. Another tough test here. N4J pick: First Coast 35, KIPP Bold City 6.
Lake Howell (0-1) at Flagler Palm Coast (1-0): Bulldogs win big at home. N4J pick: FPC 35, Lake Howell 13.
Menendez (1-0) at (3) St. Augustine (1-0): Yellow Jackets are one of the area’s best and it shows. N4J pick: (3) St. Augustine 38, Menendez 14.
NFEI (1-0) at Middleburg (1-0): Eighth-grade QB Braylon Brown had a huge game last week for the Eagles. Can NFEI find that same success against the Broncos? N4J pick: Middleburg 34, NFEI 14.
Oak Hall (1-0) at Bishop Snyder (1-1): Eagles get a win on the road. N4J pick: Oak Hall 21, Snyder 20.
Old Plank Christian (2-0) at Duval Charter (0-1): Defenders are rolling to a 3-0 start for head coach Frank Andrea. N4J pick: Old Plank Christian 33, Duval Charter 13.
Orange City University (1-0) at Matanzas (0-1): Pirates battled in the Potato Bowl last week, but this is another tough one. N4J pick: OC University 28, Matanzas 14.
Orange Park (1-0) at (4) Oakleaf (1-0): Knights had a slow start last week. Can they play a full game here? N4J pick: (4) Oakleaf 34, Orange Park 14.
P.K. Yonge (0-1) at Crescent City (0-1): Blue Wave notch a W here. N4J pick: P.K. Yonge 28, Crescent City 21.
Riverside (0-1) at Fleming Island (1-0): Generals played well for a half last week. N4J pick: Fleming Island 27, Riverside 21.
St. Joseph (1-0) at Geneva (0-1), 6:30 p.m.: Flashes are positioned for a big season. N4J pick: St. Joseph 28, Geneva 13.
Sandalwood (0-1) at (2) Raines (0-0), 6:30 p.m.: Saints are in for a better season than they’ve had in awhile, but this is not going to be the week they break out. N4J pick: (2) Raines 52, Sandalwood 6.
Seven Rivers Christian (0-1) at Eagle’s View (0-2): Close one but the visiting Warriors take it. N4J pick: Seven Rivers 35, Eagle’s View 31.
Stanton (1-1) at Bronson (0-2): The Eagles have lost 15 straight. Blue Devils add a W. N4J pick: Stanton 34, Bronson 7.
Suwannee (0-1) at Mayo Lafayette (1-0), 7:30 p.m.: Bulldogs bounce back after loss to Columbia. N4J pick: Suwannee 24, Lafayette 18.
Tocoi Creek (1-0) at Westside (0-1), 6:30 p.m.: Toros could be building something special this year. N4J pick: Tocoi Creek 38, Westside 6.
Trinity Christian (0-1) at (1) Bolles (1-0): Conquerors defense had trouble last week against Ed White. N4J pick: (1) Bolles 42, Trinity 20.
(10) University Christian (1-0) at Bishop Kenny (0-0): Great matchup that may push for the best of Week 2. N4J pick: (10) UC 34, Bishop Kenny 30.
West Nassau (2-0) at Ridgeview (0-1): Warriors really could be a championship game team in the SSAA this year. N4J pick: West Nassau 38, Ridgeview 13.
Zarephath Academy (0-1) at Santa Fe (0-0): Eagles will need to find their offense this season. N4J pick: Santa Fe 28, Zarephath 14.
Off: Cornerstone Classical Academy, White.